Vulcanised rubber thread and cord market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish vulcanised rubber thread and cord market between 2018 and 2020 was shaped by regulatory updates and the expansion of local manufacturers. In 2018, the updating of vehicle component homologation procedures through Order ICT/1212/2018 eased market access for rubber parts, while companies like Elastómeros Riojanos S.A.U. increased their production capacity. The global growth in trade of these products in 2019 led to a rise in Spanish imports to 955 t. By 2020, imports had further increased to 1 059 t, even as exports fell to 33 t, indicating a growing domestic reliance on foreign supply.

By 2021, the market volume reached 2 972 t, but the introduction of stringent environmental regulations in 2022, including Order TED/1522/2021 and Law 7/2022 on waste and circular economy, altered the dynamics. These rules, aimed at promoting circular economy, set new criteria for managing rubber waste, likely increasing production costs and complexity, which contributed to a drop in output to 1 647 t. Despite a surge in imports to 1 233 t, the physical market volume declined to 2 823 t, although in value terms it rose to 14.7 million USD due to higher product costs associated with compliance.

During 2023-2024, regulatory pressure continued with a focus on sustainable management and labelling. Increased demand for vulcanised rubber from electric mobility and construction sectors supported the market, but the anticipated entry into force of Royal Decree 712/2025 in 2024 and new environmental labelling requirements for vehicle components created additional challenges. This contributed to a further decline in production to 1 451 t and market volume to 2 062 t by 2024, while exports grew to 216 t, reflecting adaptation to the new regulatory landscape.

Production vulcanised rubber thread and cord in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of vulcanised rubber thread and cord in Spain.

Exports vulcanised rubber thread and cord from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 33 tons, representing a 34.0% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 53.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 22.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 88 tons. The largest year-over-year decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 42.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Spain's exports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in volume terms were Senegal, accounting for 22.3% of exports, Gibraltar with 20.7%, and Morocco at 18.9%. Together, these three countries represented 61.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's exports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in value terms reached 376 thousand US dollars, showing a significant increase of 18.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 36.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 465 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 31.6%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 69.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in value terms were relatively evenly distributed among various markets. Gibraltar accounted for 18.8% of export value, Algeria for 13.8%, and Morocco for 10.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 43.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports vulcanised rubber thread and cord to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 059 tons, marking an 11.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17%, with an average annual increase of 5.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 895 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand dominated Spain's imports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in volume terms, accounting for 75.6% of total imports. The remaining imports were spread across multiple smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Spain's imports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in value terms increased in 2020. Imports totaled 3 226 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 10.2% uptick compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 928 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Spain's imports of vulcanized rubber thread and cord in value terms were Thailand, accounting for 65.3% of imports, Malaysia with 11.3%, and Italy at 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020